MK_051619

24 | May 16, 2019 | the mokena messenger life & arts
mokenamessenger.com
Mokena library showcases ‘Legends of Rock n’ Roll’
Caitlin Fyfe
Freelance Reporter
Mike Valentine works the crowd for some audience
participation during his show.-
“We’re going to go back
in time today,” said front
man Mike Valentine as
he greeted the crowd on
the afternoon of Saturday,
May 11.
That marked the beginning
of a musical tribute
to rock n’ roll classics —
ranging from Dean Martin
to Neil Diamond — in the
aptly named “Legends of
Rock n’ Roll” show at Mokena
Community Public
Library District.
Valentine served as a
conduit for each era and
brought the spirit of Las Vegas’
golden age to Mokena
for all of the family to enjoy.
“I mean, to be honest, it
gives me a nostalgic feeling,”
said Mokena resident
Brandon Achterberch. “It
brings me back to being a
kid eating ice cream in the
summer listening to Elvis
with my Uncle Mark.”
Valentine covered popular
tunes closely associated
with some of the greatest
entertainers of all time,
such as “Ring of Fire,”
“Blue Suede Shoes,”
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off
of You,” and “Pretty Woman.”
As the afternoon carried
on Valentine remained
consistent with his solid
performance, even informing
the audience of the
Billboard chart numbers at
the date of release.
“He’s got a great voice
and covers all of the hits I
like to listen to at my car
shows,” said Bob Gamboa,
owner of Showcase Classics,
“It’s almost that season,
and I’d love to have
Mike and his band come
perform.”
Valentine effortlessly
captured each musicians’
sound, mannerisms and
legendary musicianship
with the help of the audience’s
interaction. His
Elvis, in particular, channeled
the same refined
nature and distinction, far
from an impersonation.
Even his look channeled
“The King” himself, wearing
a bead embellished
red silk shirt with bell bottoms.
Magic seemed to happened
when Valentine
asked the audience for
suggestions and queued
the instrumental. With little
help from Valentine, the
audience knew exactly the
direction to follow.
Singer Mike Valentine channels his inner Elvis during his “Legends of Rock n’ Roll”
show Saturday, May 11, at Mokena Community Public Library District.
Photos by Caitlin Fyfe/22nd Century Media
“I love to be able to create
a memory for the audience,
especially when they
remember a special time in
their younger days when I
perform a song that triggers
a memory,” Valentine said.
Classic rock n’ roll music
has been permanently
imprinted into America’s
collective consciousness
and history. At this point,
one does not even have
to know the musician to
know the song. Rock n’
roll has become a timeless
phenomenon.
“I will continue performing
this music as long
as I have an audience that
wants to have fun,” Valentine
said.
And the audience at
Mokena Public Library
did just that, from singing-along
and dancing to
the familiar tunes of their
childhood.
“These events are important
to the community
because this music touches
the older generation that
sometimes the children of
today forget about,” Valentine
said. “The music of
the past is what made the
music of today.”
For more upcoming
events at the Mokena library,
check out its online
calendar at mokenalibrary.
org.
nest
From Page 22
given us.” 2 Corinthians
1:3-4.
To see more of Ellie’s
story visit loveforellie.com.
For more with Robin,
visit robinmelvin.com/
contact or on Facebook,
Robin Melvin, Author.
The thoughts and opinions
expressed in this column are
those of the author. They do
not necessarily represent the
thoughts of 22nd Century
Media or its staff.
faith
From Page 22
more information and the
registration form. Fee is
$15/child or $40 for 3
children or more for one
family.
Worship
5 p.m. Saturdays and 9
a.m. Sundays.
God’s Kids Club
10:15 a.m. Sundays in
Sept.-May.
Mokena Baptist Church (9960 W. 187th
St., Mokena)
Sunday Services
11 a.m. and 5 p.m. For
more information, call
(312) 350-2279.
Sunday School
10:15 a.m. Sundays.
Mokena Baptist offers
Sunday School classes
for all ages. For more information,
call (312) 350-
2279.
Parker Road Bible Church (18512
Parker Road, Mokena)
Worship Service
10:30 a.m. Sundays. Be
sure to arrive early for our
Sunday Worship Service
to enjoy a hot, complimentary
cup of coffee every
week at the church. Following
the Christian Education
Hour (9:15-10:15
a.m.), all beverages can
be found just outside the
sanctuary.
Grace Fellowship Church (11049
LaPorte Road, Mokena)
Narcotics Anonymous
7-9 p.m. Mondays. All
those struggling or who
have struggled with a narcotics
addiction are welcome.
All meetings are
confidential. For more information,
call (708) 479-
0300.
Spanish Church
12:30 p.m. Sundays.
Worship Service
10 a.m. Sundays. All are
welcome.
Women’s Bible Study
8:45-9:45 a.m. Sundays
and 2-3 p.m. Tuesdays.
Victory Baptist Church (13550 US Route
6, Mokena)
Sunday School
9:30 a.m. Sundays.
Morning Worship
10:45 a.m. Sundays.
Evening Worship
6 p.m. Sundays.
Have something for
Faith Briefs? Contact
Editor T.J. Kremer at tj@
mokenamessenger.com
or call (708) 326-9170
ext. 29. Deadline is noon
Thursday one week prior to
publication.